Township voters have overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have raised local property taxes beyond the state-imposed 2 percent cap.

Some 66 percent of voters on Tuesday, April 17, chose to reject the referendum, according to an unofficial vote tally – 2,501 residents voted against the measure, while 1,282 voted for it.

With the defeat, it is likely township residents will be imposed a fee for garbage pickup. The township council is scheduled to meet tonight to discuss moving forward now that the referendum failed.

Lawrence was one of only two municipalities statewide to put its budget up for a referendum vote to exceed the 2 percent cap. Medford was the only other town to do so.

Check back with The Sun for additional details as they become available.